- Information Technology
- Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
View our frequently asked questions below, sorted by subject:
- Blackboard Learning Management System
- Email (Faculty and Staff)
- GC Collaborate (SharePoint)
- Hardware and Software
- Information Security
- IT Services
- Microsoft Office 365 for Education (for Faculty and Staff)
- Microsoft Office 365 for Students and Graduates
- Network Resources
- Office 365 OneDrive - CUNY
- Password Reset
- Printing and Scanning
- Student Technology Fee
- Telecommunications
- VPN
- Website Services
- Wireless Access
Blackboard Learning Management System
Blackboard is a web-based Learning Management System in which instructors create virtual classrooms by posting course materials on the Web. The course may be taught entirely online or as a hybrid experience, combining traditional class meetings with online materials. Courses may include learning materials such as documents, presentations, audio and video files, web conferences, on-line course assessments, collaborative group work tools such as announcements, e-mail capabilities and discussion groups.
Click here to view other documents.
Email (Faculty and Staff)
It is our recommendation that you update your email address to your @gradcenter.cuny.edu email address on any listservs to which you subscribe.
- Visit GC Listserv.
- If you have not yet registered on gc.listserv.cuny.edu (or forgotten your password), click ‘get a new listserv password’, otherwise, log into the listserv system. Remember to log into/register for the system with your @gc.cuny.edu email address because it is the listservs that you’ve subscribed to with that email address that you want to re-set.
- Once logged in, click Subscriber’s Corner on the Listserv menu bar (top left-hand corner of the window).
- Click the My Lists tab. These are all the lists you’ve subscribed to with your @gc.cuny.edu email address.
- Click the Settings option, which is located next to the name of the list.
- In the Email Address field, change your email address and click Update Options. The system will not change your email address immediately, but will send a confirmation email to your new email address. Follow-through with that email.
- Repeat steps 5 and 6 for all the lists to which you have subscribed.
- Once you have updated all of the lists to which you subscribe, make sure that you register your @gradcenter.cuny.edu email address on gc.listserv.cuny.edu.
- Getting Started with M365 Outlook after the Email Cutover for Windows
- How to Import an Email Backup File (pst) into M365 Outlook for Windows
- How to Export an Email Backup File (pst) into M365 Outlook for Windows
- How to Add an M365 Outlook Account to the Mail App for Windows
- How to Add an Existing M365 Account to the Outlook App for Windows
- How to Open a Shared Calendar in M365 Outlook for Mac
- How to Delegate Calendar Permissions to Another User in M365 Outlook for Mac
- How to Create a New Contact in M365 Outlook for Mac
- How to Assign Folder Permissions in M365 Outlook for Mac
- How to add an M365 account to Outlook Desktop App for Mac
- How to Add a Shared Mailbox to M365 Outlook for Mac
- How to Access the Global Address List (GAL) in M365 Outlook for Mac
- How to Assign Calendar Permissions to Another User in Outlook for iOS
- How to Add your M365 Account to the Outlook app for iOS
- How to Add an M365 account to the Mail app for iOS
- How to Add a Contact in the Outlook App for iOS
- How to Access the Global Address List (GAL) in Outlook App for iOS
- How to Access Shared Calendars in M365 Outlook for iOS
GC Collaborate (SharePoint)
Hardware and Software
Prior to buying computer equipment or software for office use, the GC administrative and department heads are required to request a consultation with David Kapur, IT Director of Client Services.
Prior to buying computer equipment that requires a server or infrastructure set up, the GC administrative and department heads are required to request a consultation with Matthew Liston, IT Director of Systems Services.
After approval from the respective IT Directors, contact the Purchasing Office and someone will assist in securing quotes and processing orders accordingly. The Purchasing Office is headed by Ronald Paynter and located in Room 8105.05 or can be emailed at purchasing@gc.cuny.edu
Once the item arrives, you may email itservices@gc.cuny.edu if additional assistance is required.
CUNY site licenses are available for the titles described at the CUNY Software Availability website. For such licensing, the GC members are required to submit a work order request to IT Services at itservices@gc.cuny.edu.
IT Services
OIT (Office of Information Technology) provides support for the GC owned computers with the GC asset tags only. If you need assistance with a personal computer, please contact your PC manufacturer or your software vendor.
IT Services* (formerly The Help Desk) should be your first point of contact for technical assistance.
You may contact us by sending an email to itservices@gc.cuny.edu or by visiting our online self-service portal available 24/7.
The ServiceNow self-service portal will allow you to request assistance from IT via a simple web form.
Emergency calls are received between the hours of 9:00 am – 5:00 pm at 212-817-7300.
*Closed for GC holidays. Hours are subject to change.
In order to access the GC computers, you need to know your domain, username, and password.
- domain– all students use the GC domain
- Username– the first initial of your first name followed by your full last name (in some cases, followed by a number). For example, if your name is Rusty Staub, your user name is: rstaub (or rstaub1)
- Students, faculty and staff are provided with storage in their Office 365 One Drive account.
- You can also save files onto a USB flash drive.
Note: Files saved to the C:\ drives will be deleted.
Microsoft Office 365 for Education (for Faculty and Staff)
Microsoft Office 365 for Students & Graduates
CIS Training Technology offers training videos and live webinars for Microsoft Office 365 and its features, Teams and One Drive. In addition, they offer live webinars that are facilitated by MS Learning Partners. Also, keep in mind that not all features of Office 365 are enabled so your menu options may be slightly different than what you see in the video.
CIS Training
Microsoft has free online training webinars and videos that are available to you to view at your leisure.
You can also download printable Office 2013 reference guides.
Microsoft also created their own support resource page for Office 365. From this page you can access troubleshooting options and view previously reported Office 365 issues.
Yes, it does. However, before you can use the Office 365 Self-Service Password Reset tool, you must register your account.
How to Register for the Office 365 Self-Service Password Reset Tool
Once you have registered, if you ever forget your password, you can go here to reset it.
How to Perform a Self-Service Password Reset
If you should ever need to update your registration information, please review this guide:
How to Update Contact Information for the Office 365 Self-Service Password-Reset Tool
No. The GC Self-Service Password reset tool allows you to change or reset your GC network password via the web. It is not affiliated with your Office 365 account.
If you currently monitor a non-human mailbox, such as the English Student Association, you can configure your desktop version of Outlook to connect directly to that mailbox. This action is performed by creating an Outlook profile for the desired mailbox.
If you have not previously monitored a non-human mailbox but now require access to one, you must first contact IT Services (ITServices@gc.cuny.edu). IT Services will open a ticket to grant you access permissions for the mailbox. Once this has been completed, they will notify you and you can then configure your desktop version of Outlook to connect to the non-human mailbox.
Below are the steps for configuring Outlook for a non-human mailbox from a MAC.
Configuring Outlook for a Non-Human Mailbox (MAC)
Below are the steps for configuring Outlook for a non-human mailbox from a PC.
First, please check Microsoft's support page to determine if your device meets the minimum system requirements for installation.
If your device meets the minimum system requirements, follow the instructions provided by CUNY CIS in the document below.
How to download a copy of Microsoft Office
Microsoft's support page also contains additional installation instructions for PCs, Macs, and mobile devices.
Install Office Using Office 365
Install Apps on Mobile Devices
Phone and Tablet Setup Reference
How to set up email in Mac OS X
How to set up email on Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch
For off-campus access to library databases and journals, use your GC network (not Office 365 email) account.
To sign in to the Interlibrary Loan System (ILLiad), use your GC network (not Office 365 email) account.
You can use any email address that you frequently check to receive ILL emails. To view or update your email address, log in to ILL. Under Tools in the left-side menu, choose Change Account Information, then see/change your email address in the form.
If the email address looks right and you are still not getting ILL emails, check your Spam folder. To prevent ILL emails from going to your Spam folder, add ill@gc.cuny.edu to your Contacts list.
If you currently have library circulation notifications sent to another email address, please update your email address at the Graduate Center Library's Circulation Desk.
No, the Office 365 system configuration precludes automatic forwarding of email from your Office 365 student email account to an external email account in order to safeguard the University's ability to communicate effectively via email.
For the best experience, we strongly recommend that you connect to your Office 365 student email account using Outlook Web App, or through an email program that supports Exchange ActiveSync access. See Microsoft Modern Authentication for additional details.
You are one of a small group of current students/graduates who also hold designated employee roles at the GC. Therefore, it will be incumbent on you to abide two different Graduate Center email addresses: one designated for your role as a student/graduate, one designated for your role as an employee.
- Your Office 365 student email account reflects your role as a student/graduate, and student-related correspondence associated with University systems will be delivered to your “gradcenter.cuny.edu” email account.
- Your GC employee email account reflects your role as an employee, and correspondence related to your duties and responsibilities as an employee should be sent/received using your “gc.cuny.edu” email account.
Since you are both a student/graduate and an employee, you will need to routinely monitor both your GC and Office 365 email accounts. Mail cannot be automatically redirected from either to the other, nor to a third destination.
While your student email account (@gradcenter.cuny.edu) is considered a lifetime account, your GC employee email account (@gc.cuny.edu) will be terminated effective your last day of employment. Please make sure you remove any items you wish to retain from your employee email account before the last day of your employment.
If you have any questions, please contact IT Services via email at ITServices@gc.cuny.edu.
Your xxxx@gradcenter.cuny.edu account is used exclusively for the Office 365 student email system, and is separate from your GC network account. Your GC network account is used exclusively to access the Graduate Center's online resources and various other systems.
If you are logging into student email your username is astudent@gradcenter.cuny.edu. If you are logging into any other resource or system, your username is "astudent".
NOTE: As your email account and network account are separate, they have separate passwords which do not synchronize.
Password Reset
No. The GC Self-Service Password reset tool allows you to change or reset your GC network password via the web. It is not affiliated with your Office 365 account.
Please review the documents below to learn how to reset your Office 365 password.
How to Register for the Office 365 Self Service Password Reset Tool
How to Perform a Self Service Password Reset
Printing and Scanning
Desktop computers at the Graduate Center all have access to networked workgroup printers; these workgroup printers are in turn configured to support cost-savings and to promote environment (“green”) considerations, thereby aligning the Graduate Center with University guidance and with New York State Executive Order 4 directed to state agencies.
Student Technology Fee
The STF is collected from students to improve existing technology and related operations and to acquire new and advanced technology that significantly benefits students and student access.
The Graduate Center’s STF Committee is comprised of student, faculty and administrative staff representatives. The Committee meets twice a year. First to review and approve project proposal submissions that merit funding in the upcoming fiscal year (July 1st - June 30th) and second, to report on the status of orders.
The Graduate Center (GC) Student Technology Fee (STF) Committee must execute one official function annually:
- Provide to the President of the Graduate Center a recommended budget for the allocation of GC STF funds for the upcoming fiscal year.
- Click here to find out more.
- Implementing or upgrading of instructional computer labs
- Acquiring or upgrading accessible technology
- Implementing or upgrading student-serving computer labs
- Improving and implementing student services
- Faculty development of new or improved courseware
- Electronic information resources in the library
- Personnel for installation and maintenance of computer services
- Upgrading instructional spaces to support technology-assisted learning
- Acquiring technology tools to support college-sponsored student activities
- Expand student access to current and emerging technology
- Purchase of Enterprise Solutions
- Consumable goods i.e. paper for personal use and pens, ink cartridges and other office supplies
- Infrastructure requirements, such as electrical work, building repairs, etc.
- Hardware, software, supplies for private use
Any current GC student, faculty, or staff member can submit a project proposal to the STF committee by end of business on the second Friday in February. The project must benefit students and fall under one of the eleven acceptable uses of the STF. Proposals should include all related needs in one application. Do not submit multiple forms for smaller amounts of equipment that will serve the same purpose. Upload preliminary price quotes or estimates, including shipping costs, to inform the committee of the total amount needed for your project, if approved. Note that new quotes are required (if approved) at the time of ordering as prices change slightly over time. Upload sole vendor letters too. Proposals previously submitted, but not funded for any reason, do not automatically get considered in subsequent years. A new proposal must be submitted.
Any current GC student, faculty, or staff member can submit a proposal. While we accept proposals on a rolling basis (year-round), proposals must be received by end of business on the second Friday in February in order to be considered for funding in the upcoming fiscal year (July 1st - June 30th).
The Student Technology Fee Committee reviews all submitted proposals and recommends the submissions that should be procured according to available funds, CUNY's stated Guiding Principles, and the college's Master Plan. Once the committee selects the proposals to be approved, these become projects which ultimately make up the STF plan. The STF Plan is presented to the President for further review and approval. Finally, it is submitted to CUNY Central as the college’s official Student Technology Fee plan for the next fiscal year (July 1st - June 30th).
Once the finalized plan is submitted to CUNY Central, you will receive a notification via email regarding the status of your proposal. If your proposal was approved, instructions will be sent as an email attachment detailing how to proceed with initiating the ordering of your items. If your proposal was not approved, you will be notified via email to this effect. You are encouraged to resubmit your proposal for consideration for the next fiscal year (July 1st to June 30th). Keep in mind that funds are limited and, depending on priorities outlined by the committee, may not be available.
The initial cost for an item is paid for at the time of purchase; however, there is no guarantee that recurring costs will be covered in subsequent years, unless it gets committee approval.
No. Only the item(s) presented to the committee and approved during the annual STF meeting can be purchased within the approved budget amount.
This depends upon the availability of funds, priorities outlined by the committee and where your order stands in the queue. Typically, funds are made available in the Fall and throughout the academic year. Once it's been confirmed that funds are at our disposal, ordering will begin, starting with the priorities set by the committee. Subsequently, orders are handled on a first-come, first-served basis and can take as little as 30 days or several months to arrive. It is possible that your items will be delivered in the Spring. This is something to keep in mind when planning and requesting to use Tech Fee funds to improve technology resources in your respective area and throughout the GC. Like all purchases, STF projects go through the standard CUNY procurement process, which require adherence to many guidelines and can be time consuming. Therefore, your cooperation and patience are greatly needed and appreciated.
Please send all inquiries to STF@gc.cuny.edu.
Telecommunications
Please see the Meeting Owl Pro User Guide.
VPN
Website Services
Wireless Access
GC IT takes responsibility for ensuring that GC-owned Wi-Fi equipment and system components are functioning properly; are configured to provide the most effective service possible within the significant constraints imposed by building design and construction; and represent best practices and best efforts to maximize coverage, throughput and reliability. Additional options for mitigating individual or singular connectivity issues for specific devices and/or apartment locations are not viable within the given infrastructure. Residents of course retain the option to contract for such services on their own from internet providers.
